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Page last updated at 14:05 GMT, Wednesday, 14 September 2011 15:05 UK

Kent's Darren Stevens unhappy with floodlit experiment

St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Kent's St Lawrence Ground has hosted floodlit one-day games

Kent batsman Darren Stevens says playing the longer form of the game under floodlights is "dangerous".

The game between Kent and Glamorgan at Canterbury is the first day-night County Championship match to be played.

But despite using a high visibility pink ball, Stevens told BBC Radio Kent: "I think it's dangerous.

"In Test cricket, if you get someone like Shaun Tait or Brett Lee bowling at 95mph, you'll lose sight of it three-quarters of the way down."

It is believed the experimental game at the St Lawrence Ground is part of an International Cricket Council proposal to introduce day-night Test matches.

But Stevens said: "I just think it could be dangerous for the fielders as well. I can't see it catching on.

"When our batters came off they said they basically lost the ball about a metre or two before them.

"It's the same standing at slip - (wicketkeeper) Geraint Jones was saying the same. He loses the ball when it's about halfway down the pitch from the hand - and then it's at you."

Both Kent and Glamorgan accepted an offer from the England and Wales Cricket Board to experiment with the pink ball in a floodlit first-class game.

It is understood the ECB were keen to choose a match without any silverware, promotion or relegation issues resting on it.

A pink ball has already been trialled in first-class cricket in Pakistan and in the traditional season curtain-raiser between the County champions and the MCC.



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see also
Kent fight back after Walters ton
14 Sep 11 |  Counties
Glamorgan & Kent to use pink ball
07 Sep 11 |  Glamorgan


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